The event will now take place on Friday 23 October in the stunning new ArenaMK in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, some two weeks later than previously advertised.

Show director and organiser Jerry Ramsdale explained: “When the venue holders contacted us to say that a new and better date had suddenly become available, we jumped at the chance.

“We were concerned that the previous date did not allow sufficient time for our exhibitors to set up their exhibition stands in the manner they would have wanted.

“Now, exhibitors will have ample time for set up – and this will allow us to hold the VAN Fleet World awards the evening before in the same auditorium that will play host to the exhibition.

“This will have the additional benefit of allowing all the winners to display their awards on their stands the following day at the exhibition for everyone to see.

“The ArenaMK is an outstanding venue and has some 300 high-quality guest rooms for those wanting to book overnight accommodation between the awards and the exhibition the following day,” he said.

Van manufacturers which have already confirmed their attendance at the new event include Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, Fiat and Nissan. Others are expected to announce their attendance in the next few days.

The inaugural VAN Fleet World ‘Live’ event will now comprise the following key elements:

• Ride and drive event involving leading van manufacturers
• Indoor exhibition space of over 3,420 square metres for van manufacturers and fleet service providers
• Interactive seminar programme 

VAN Fleet World ‘Live’ visitors will also have the opportunity to road test the very latest light commercial vehicles around Milton Keynes’ innovative 'grid' system of roads – a network of national speed limit, fully landscaped routes, unique in the UK.

Jerry Ramsdale added: “The aim of VAN Fleet World ‘Live’ is to provide visitors with a rich experience on the day, covering all possible areas of interest.

“For many visitors, the opportunity to discover and evaluate potential new suppliers is as valuable as road testing vehicles and our indoor exhibition area will provide the ideal opportunity for that. 

“At the same time, it will also be the focus for those wishing to meet up with colleagues from across the fleet industry. This great networking opportunity is an invaluable means of keeping up to date with the latest fleet industry developments,” he said.

There will be a strong educational theme to the new event and VAN Fleet World ‘Live’ will include a new seminar and training format designed to provide practical hands-on advice and guidance across a range of fleet management disciplines.

Each session will be presented by an experienced fleet manager whose expertise in their chosen subject area will provide delegates with a case-study style learning experience.

VAN Fleet World ‘Live’ is intended for fleet managers and other fleet decision-makers, senior executives from the leasing and rental industry, motor manufacturer executives and fleet consultants with responsibility for fleet purchasing decisions.

For more details of VAN Fleet World Live 2015, please phone 01727 739160, visit http://www.vanfleetworldlive.co.uk/ or click here to register: http://www.vanfleetworldlive.co.uk/visiting/